Parents say dress code is a 'sexism issue' after daughters are denied entry to school dance

Parents say dress code is a 'sexism issue' after daughters are denied entry to school dance

Carrie Vittitoe sent her daughter off Saturday, periwinkle dress in hand, to get ready with a group of girlfriends before the school's homecoming dance.

She expected her daughter would spend the night dancing with friends. Instead, the teen left in tears.

The 15-year-old was among dozens of girls who say they were grilled by staff at Eastern High School in Louisville, Ky. who suspected their dresses were too short. Before being allowed inside, the staff used rulers to measure each girl's hem to see how high it was above her knees, the teen said.

"It just made me feel awful about myself," Vittitoe's daughter, an Eastern sophomore, said. "Like I wasn't acceptable."

Many students were denied entry, she said.

By Sunday, parents took to social media to complain about the students' treatment.

The uproar has raised bigger questions about dress code policies, with some parents and students complaining that schools are treating girls unfairly.

Each school sets its own policy, which can vary widely.

Vittitoe, who asked that her daughter's name not be published, called the school's policy a "sexism issue."

"It just made her feel more insecure about things she already feels insecure," said Vittitoe, adding that it can be difficult for her daughter to find clothing in the junior's section to fit her slender, 5-foot, 8-inch frame.

Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Staff used rulers to measure the dress length, a parent says.
Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Staff used rulers to measure the dress length, a parent says.

School system vows to examine dress code policies

Jefferson County Public Schools spokeswoman Renee Murphy said on Monday that "school leaders at Eastern will be reviewing the dress code, the communication, and the processes for coming into dances."

"Student representatives and parent representatives will review the dress code as well, along with a teacher group, and administrators will work with their (school-based decision-making council) to consider suggestions for improvement," Murphy said.

JCPS board member James Craig, who represents the district serving Eastern, said he heard from several parents about the incident and the school will address their concerns.

The school "will be reaching out to students, parents and teachers to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard," he said. "There won’t be another dance until the spring, and the school will have plenty of time to complete that process before something like this happens again.”

No more than 2 inches above the top of the knee

A letter to parents from Eastern High Principal Lana Kaelin included in a Sept. 20 school newsletter listed a dress code for the homecoming dance. Among the rules: Dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the top of the knee.

Students who violated the dress code would be denied entry and would not receive a refund for their tickets, the letter said.

Vittitoe, who wrote about the incident on her blog, said the school put forth unrealistic expectations.

"I'm not sure EHS staff understands that parents purchase the dresses that are available to purchase in stores," Vittitoe wrote. "I don't know a single mother who wouldn't love to find the 'Hit at the Kneecap' dress shop, but this shop doesn't exist."

Vittitoe said she drove to the high school about 8 p.m. Saturday after receiving texts from her daughter about what was happening.

When she got there, a mass of teens stood outside the building. Two police cruisers were also in the parking lot, she said.

One officer told the teens they had to leave school property immediately or else be considered trespassing, Vittitoe said. Though some teens had driven themselves there, many had no transportation, she said.

At that point, Vittitoe said, it "went from being a dress code to being a safety issue."

"I didn't want to leave kids unsupervised in the dark," she said.

Vittitoe said she and another parent told the students to stand on the sidewalk in front of the school to wait for their rides.

Vittitoe said she contacted Craig and JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio on Sunday to voice her frustration.

Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Some were turned away, a parents says.
Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Some were turned away, a parents says.

"Things came to a head (Saturday) night, but this has been an issue for some time," she said, adding that she believes Eastern's dress code is more strict than other JCPS schools.

Some school policies target girls

Dress codes for regular school days vary across the district's high schools.

Some policies appear to be especially restrictive when it comes to female students. For example, Eastern's policy students "must be covered from shoulders to knees." Girls' blouses must have sleeves and all shorts, skirts or dresses must be "knee-length or longer." Students are not allowed to wear leggings.

At another school in the district, DuPont Manual, the policy allows shirt straps of "approximately two inches or more in width." Bottoms must extend "approximately one-third of thigh length." Leggings or other form-fitting bottoms must be "accompanied by a top that covers the front and back of the hips."

Vittitoe said her daughter deals with Eastern's strict dress code by always wearing jeans.

When it comes to formal events, Vittitoe said she worries about families who don't have the financial means to pay for dresses in line with Eastern's standards. The school's letter sent to families, for example, included pictures of three acceptable dresses.

Each was a full-length gown.

'Making girls feel like there's something wrong with their bodies'

The homecoming dance was a fundraiser for Eastern's sophomore class. On Sunday, sophomore class officers created an online petition asking for a "redo" of the dance.

Eastern parent Stephen Carnes shared a photo of his daughter and her friend wearing identical dresses. Carnes said his daughter was denied entry.

Her friend was allowed in.

"Zero consistency," Carnes said.

Lori Chitwood told a similar story. She was in Eastern's parking lot when she said she saw girls leaving the dance.

"I have two daughters who attend Eastern," Chitwood said in an email. "One was admitted, and one was not. It actually ruined my oldest daughter's homecoming."

Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Some were turned away, a parent says.
Students attending a dance at Eastern High School in Louisville were told their dresses must be no more than 2 inches above the knee. Some were turned away, a parent says.

Chitwood said her older daughter is a senior with Down syndrome. Although she was allowed in, other girls in her group were not.

"So, the young man came out with her because the other young ladies were not allowed into the dance," Chitwood wrote. "Then my other daughter was denied entry, and I was beyond frustrated! They made her shrug her shoulders and bend her knee (to lower the dress hem). It was ridiculous!"

Vittitoe said she would support a district-wide dress code for dances, so all students are treated the same.

"From making girls feel like there's something wrong with their bodies," she said, "to how this affects families that can't afford to go out and spend loads of money on fancy outfits, this impacted kids."

Mandy McLaren: 502-582-4525; mmclaren@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @mandy_mclaren. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/mandym.

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This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: School dress code under fire, parents mad after girls denied entry to dance